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Not a week went by in 2012 without a technology headline that directly affected the way consumers interact with their social circles, their personal gadgets and the world around them. Characterized by both corporate marriages and acquisitions that catapulted tech darlings into Silicon Valley’s top echelon and strengthened the power of existing giants, and rising threats to our online privacy, security and freedom, 2012 was a year of breathless highs and devastating lows on the tech pages.

We increasingly engage with our world through the technology that’s become such an essential part of our everyday lives. Mobile phones in hand and tablets at the ready, we’re checking in, reaching out and connecting with “friends” we’ll never actually encounter in real life. The boundary between our real world existence and our online lives has become shaded, and we (well, most of us) enjoy a more interconnected, free-wheeling, seamless world than ever before. “Going online” is no longer something we consciously do – these days, we’re always online. It’s for these reasons that we must approach 2013 with fresh eyes and cautious steps.

Let’s take a look at what we’re facing in the New Year:

The decline of antivirus: Antivirus, a term that’s become synonymous with internet security, will no longer be enough to protect against the growing cache of online threats we face. In the past, antivirus was the gold standard – it ensured the security of our devices, and that was sufficient enough. But once the cloud was introduced, we had to throw that notion out the window. Now, securing online interactions and browsing via a cloud-based security and encryption solution is an essential precaution, and doing so reduces the need for traditional antivirus.

A Flash in the bucket: The Flashback Trojan that attacked 400,000 Mac computers in the spring of 2012 was just a preview. Apple devices – desktops, tablets and phones – once thought to be immune to viruses, will be subject to a major viral attack even more deadly than Flashback. Of course, on-device attacks are only one security risk for Apple users; they are also just as vulnerable as PC users to internet privacy and security breaches, including password hacking and identity theft.

Android’s on edge: It’s no secret that Android users will continue to run the risk of downloading potentially malicious apps, but with so many enterprises using the platform thanks to its worker-friendly OS, 2013 will bear witness to the rise in infection among businesses using the Android OS. An estimated 18 million Android users will encounter mobile malware this year and next, according to numbers released by Lookout Security. Unless IT departments significantly ramp up their security programs, many of those victims will be corporations in the New Year.

Identity theft on the rise: Nine million of us have our identity stolen every year, according to the FTC. With mobile shopping and business on the rise, that number will increase by at least 10 percent in 2013. While more than 120 million users have downloaded AnchorFree’s software to protect against identity theft, there are still hundreds of millions more who throw caution to the wind online and leave themselves open to assaults on their identity. 2013 may not be so lucky a year for these folks…

Hack attack: From Google and LinkedIn to Lockheed Martin and Citibank, major players in the tech, banking, and defense sectors were hacked in 2012. The highly publicized hack of Wired writer Mat Honan was further proof that even the most vigilant consumer is vulnerable to cybercrime. With a hack against PlayStation 3 already on the boards, the world of gaming will be the next target. Both vulnerable and lucrative to hackers, gamers who willingly hand over credit card or PayPal details provide the path of least resistance for greedy hackers, who will test the limits with bolder moves in 2013.

Apps stand up to scrutiny:The Federal Trade Commission’s investigation into apps thought to be violating privacy by tracking the behavior of those too young to look out for themselves will set off a push toward more stringent guidelines, greater transparency and streamlined privacy policies. This will impact the darlings of children’s entertainment – Disney, Cartoon Network, Rovio – and benefit consumers young and old. Consumers beware: government action takes time, so taking our own proactive steps to protect ourselves and our kids is essential.

American Censorship, Inc.: Increasingly strict corporate censorship and filtering policies will affect the ability of U.S. and European workers to access popular sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube on the job. This problem will present corporations with additional dilemmas as more and more workers choose to bring personal smartphones and tablets to the workplace.

Democracy now?: Citizens in supposedly “democratic” countries will continue to experience increased assaults on their internet freedom. While internet censorship is characteristic of authoritarian regimes such as China, Syria and Iran, a United Nations treaty approved just this month introduces updated language that could pave the way for seemingly democratic governments to censor the Web. The U.S. and other allies may have walked out on talks, but this is an ominous sign for the future of the open Web.

The Great (Fire)wall of China: Strengthened in December 2012 with a renewed effort to block VPNs, a favorite tool of those trying to access the free Web, the Great Firewall will lead to major growth in domestic networks such as Sina and Weibo. Meanwhile, those trying to access Facebook and Twitter will continue to struggle. Users of those services will dwindle, further contributing to that nation’s isolation. The country’s new leadership will face a crossroads: complete separation from the rest of us, or the realization that the world’s most populous nation can’t thrive in a digital bubble forever.

Protecting YOU, not your device: A new breed of companies will evolve with a business model of protecting YOU, meaning every interaction you make on your mobile device or computer will be protected. Until recently, the world thought about protecting computers; in 2012, major security players understood the need to protect mobile devices as well. In 2013, online protection will focus on safeguarding the user across any platform or device.